Pages

Propaganda Posters of the Third Reich

The National Socialists possessed a highly refined æsthetic sensibility, and they enacted their æsthetic at every level of politics and policy including propaganda.

Adolf Hitler, and many of his associates, not only believed themselves to be artists, but were regarded by others, at the time, as artists, whose very ideology was founded in an essentially æsthetic logic.

This is generally referred to as the 'æstheticization' of politics.

Alpine Landscape
Adolf Hitler

The artistic ambitions of Adolf Hitler, Dr Paul Joseph Goebbels, Alfred Rosenberg, Baldur von Schirach, Walther Funk and others were originally deeper than their political ambitions, and were essential elements of their personalities.

There were two conceptual cornerstones of National Socialist ideology - redemption and monumentality - which found their expression in National Socialist æsthetic productions, which were not only means by which to deliver a political message, but very much part of the message itself.

Without recognizing the central role aesthetics actually played in the regime of the Third Reich, we cannot ignore the basic historical fact that Art, beauty and æsthetics were not benign by-products of the Third Reich, but part and parcel of its coherent, internal logic.

Propaganda was skilfully used by the NSDAP in the years leading up to and during Adolf Hitler's leadership of Germany (1933–1945).

National Socialist propaganda provided a crucial instrument for acquiring and maintaining power, and for the implementation of their policies, including the pursuit of total war.

Adolf Hitler devoted three chapters of his 1925/26 book 'Mein Kampf', itself a propaganda tool, to the study and practice of propaganda.

He claimed to have learnt the value of propaganda as a World War I infantryman exposed to very effective British and ineffectual German propaganda.

The argument that Germany lost the war largely because of British propaganda efforts, expounded at length in 'Mein Kampf', reflected then common German nationalist claims.

Although untrue – German propaganda during World War I was mostly more advanced than that of the British – it became the official truth of Nazi Germany thanks to its reception by Hitler.

The propaganda of the National Socialist German Workers' Party regime that governed Germany from 1933 to 1945 promoted National Socialist ideology by demonizing the enemies of the NSDAP, notably Jews and communists, but also capitalists and intellectuals.

It promoted the values of National Socialism, including heroic death, Führerprinzip (leader principle), Volksgemeinschaft (people's community), Blut und Boden (blood and soil) and pride in the Germanic Herrenvolk (master race).

Propaganda was also used to maintain the cult of personality around Adolf Hitler, and to promote campaigns for eugenics and the annexation of German-speaking areas.

After the outbreak of World War II, Nazi propaganda vilified Germany's enemies, notably the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union and the United States, and in 1943 exhorted the population to total war.

5 years-Strength through Joy- Strength through Joy' is not simply a recreational organization-rather it is a national socialistic community that contributes to the realization of a new way of life and establishes a new social order.

Translate

NEW TITLE

Features an exhaustive and beautifully rendered set of Third Reich emblems, badges, flags and regalia by the renowned heraldic artist Peter Crawford - and also includes brief notes on the various groups and organisations, and additional contemporary photos and posters. A 'must see' for all those interested in this period of history, and/or heraldic and graphic art.

please note: this blog is not intended to approve, condone or encourage any of the beliefs and/or ideologies described herein.

All the information on this website is published in good faith and for general information purpose only.

This blog does not make any warranties about the completeness, reliability and accuracy of this information. Any action you take upon the information you find on this website is strictly at your own risk. The Authors will not be liable for any losses and/or damages in connection with the use of our website.

From our website, you can visit other websites by following hyperlinks to such external sites. While we strive to provide only quality links to useful and ethical websites, we have no control over the content and nature of these sites. These links to other websites do not imply a recommendation for all the content found on these sites. Site owners and content may change without notice and may occur before we have the opportunity to remove a link which may have gone 'bad'.

Please be also aware that when you leave our website, other sites may have different privacy policies and terms which are beyond our control. Please be sure to check the Privacy Policies of these sites as well as their "Terms of Service" before engaging in any business or uploading any information.

If you wish to use non-copyright images please credit this blog.

Copyright images may not be used for any purpose.

By using our website, you hereby consent to our disclaimer and agree to its terms.